Rolling Stone's 500 "Greatest Albums" Part 40 Quiz

Answer: Joni Mitchell

Released in 1974, "Court and Spark" was acclaimed by critics and record buyers alike. It topped the album charts in Canada, reached number two in the Billboard 200, and number 14 in the UK.

In 2019, the "Guardian" ranked all of Mitchell's albums and put "Court and Spark" at number five. (We have already had "Hejira", their number three, in this countdown.

Of "Court and Spark", Kat Lister wrote: "See-sawing between folk-rock and jazz experimentation, with a pop sensibility that soars, there is a driving power and momentum to Mitchell's double platinum offering that sets it apart from her previous work".

Answer: Lou Reed

Lou Reed had been impressive in his songwriting with the Velvet Underground, and with "Transformer", his second solo album, that flourished. The album was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson and included one of Reed's seminal songs "Walk on the Wild Side".

The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200, but hit number 13 in the UK. Number 12 in Australia, and Number 11 in The Netherlands.

Writing for BBC Music, John Doran said: "Transformer" was "...probably the most universally loved collection of songs he has recorded as a solo artist."

Answer: Fiona Apple

A second inclusion in our countdown for Fiona Apple. To give its full title "When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing 'fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right" was released in 1999.

The album's best chart performance was in the USA, where it reached number 13 on the Billboard 200.

Writing for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine said: "Fiona Apple may have been grouped in with the other female singer/songwriters who dominated the pop charts in 1996 and 1997, but she stood out by virtue of her grand ambitions and considerable musical sophistication."

Answer: Television

The New York City fourpiece Television got together in 1973 and were part of the American punk revolution. In 1977, "Marquee Moon" was their debut album, although it failed to make much traction on the charts.

In the recording studios the tracks were laid down 'as live', with some overdubbing. Chris Jones, for BBC Music, wrote: "'Marquee Moon' thus burst, seemingly, out of nowhere:a fully-formed masterpiece of electric poetry." Television were no mere three chord heroes, Jones wrote, and he held guitarists Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd in high comparative company.

Answer: Hole

In 1993, "Live Like This" was the second album from Hollywood, Los Angeles, rockers Hole. It reached number 52 on the Billboard 200 and was well received in the UK, number 13, and Australia, number 13.

Hole had been founded by Courtney Love, who had had several small acting parts. She became known for her radical performances, and indeed a very public marriage to Kurt Cobain. "Live Like This" was, the critics said, Hole's breakthrough, and also their career best.

"Hole made the transition from raucous punk to power pop with ease, and their progression was admirable. Without Hole, it's fair to say there would have been no Distillers. Likewise, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's Karen O probably owes more to Courtney Love than she's ever likely to admit," Richard Banks wrote for BBC Music.

Answer: The Allman Brothers

The Allman Brother Band got together in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 and the lineup was built around brothers Duane and Gregg Allman. In 1971, performances at the famed New York City venue Fillmore East were the basis of their first live album.

The album reached number 13 on the Billboard 200 and came to be regarded not only as one of the band's best, but also as one of the best live albums ever. The Allmans were noted for their brilliant, and excessively long jamming sessions.

Originally, many of the longer tracks were edited in post-production, but were later stored to full length in their album "The Fillmore Sessions".

Writing for AllMusic, Steven Thomas Erlewine was of the opinion: "Even after the release of the unedited concerts, this original double album remains the pinnacle of the Allmans and Southern rock at its most elastic, bluesy, and jazzy."

Answer: The Rolling Stones

In 1971, the Rolling Stones released "Sticky Fingers" as their ninth LP in the UK and 11th in the USA. It reached number one in territories the world over and was to be number three in UK album sales for the year.

"Sticky Fingers" became regarded as one of the best releases by the Stones. In 2018, the "Guardian" ranked 23 albums from the Stones and put "Sticky Fingers" at number one. Alexis Petradis wrote: "...their claim to be 'The Greatest Rock'n'Roll Band in the World' has no more compelling evidence than the flawless 46 minutes of music here.

Answer: De La Soul

Formed in Amityville, New York, in 1988, De La Soul released "3 Feet High and Rising" as their debut album in 1989 It reached number one on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was certified platinum (one millions sales.)

During around 30 years of performing and recording, De La Soul mixed up jazz, funk and pop into a genre that some called jazz-rap and others alternative rap.

Answer: The Clash

Released in 1977, Mick Jones played guitar on the recording sessions for the eponymous debut album from The Clash. This had a UK and a US release, with differences in the tracks. In the UK, the album reached number 12

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, writing for AllMusic, said: "The charging, relentless rhythms, primitive three-chord rockers, and the poor sound quality give the album a nervy, vital energy. Joe Strummer's slurred wails perfectly compliment the edgy rock, while Mick Jones' clearer singing and charged guitar breaks make his numbers righteously anthemic."

Answer: Led Zeppelin

In 1969, Led Zeppelin released their eponymous debut album, now sometimes referred to as "Led Zeppelin I" to distinguish it from "II" and "II" and so on. It reached number six on the UK albums chart and number ten on the Billboard 200.

Led Zeppelin had one of the most awesome line ups in their early years: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham, and John Paul Jones were highly regarded in any talk of the 'greats' of heavy metal. Certainly, readers of "Rolling Stone" put the band in the top ten of the best heavy metal bands of all time.